highlights

Post navigation

Enter the world of Edwardian manners with Alastair Bruce, historical advisor to “Downton Abbey.” Bruce and the series’ leading cast members explain how they re-create the authentic etiquette of aristocrats and servants on Manners of Downtown Abbey: A Masterpiece Special Sunday at 7 pm.

Take an unprecedented look at the life and legacy of one of America’s most enduring and influential storytellers — Walt Disney on Walt Disney: American ExperienceMonday at 9 pm.

View dozens of classic TV and movie clips and hear comments from Moore’s co-stars and Moore herself. Oprah Winfrey recounts Moore’s critical role in inspiring her – and millions of others – as TV’s first independent career woman on Mary Tyler Moore: A Celebration at 7 pm on Tuesday.

Follow Jim Henson’s career, from his early television work with the Muppets in the 1950s to his commercial work and network appearances, his breakthrough with Sesame Street and “The Muppet Show” on In Their Own Words airing Tuesday at 8 pm.

FRONTLINE presents the epic story of the rise of Christianity on From Jesus To Christ: The First Christians special, airing Tuesday at 9 pm.

This story of the world-famous Lipizzaner stallions focuses on the bond that develops between the horses, named the Legendary White Stallions, and their caregivers on this week’s episode of Nature Wednesday at 7 pm.

In October 2009, a striking portrait of a young woman in Renaissance dress made world news headlines. Originally sold two years before for around $20,000, the portrait is now thought to be an undiscovered masterwork by Leonardo da Vinci worth more than $100 million. Watch as NOVA follows the experts in Mystery Of A Masterpiece airing Wednesday at 8 pm.

Generations have theorized about what really happened to Van Gogh on December 23, 1888, in the French town of Arles, but no one has been clear on the details-until now. Discover the theories on Secrets of the Dead airing Wednesday at 9 pm.

Join Evan Smith on Overheard, as he discusses old classics and new stories with R.L. Stine, a novelist, short story writer, and TV producer. He is best known for his children’s horror fiction novels including Goosebumps, Rotten School, and The Nightmare Room series. This Thursday at 7 pm.

The Lullaby Project helps teen mothers compose lullabies for their babies in order to foster connection. Their latest endeavor, The Lullaby Project, helps teen mothers compose lullabies for their babies in order to foster connection and reflection in an incredibly stressful and vulnerable time which can be viewed on Arts In Context, Thursday at 7:30 pm.

Chet heads to the Marble Falls to explore its art, adventure, and cuisine. He pushes his adrenaline levels on an ATV, a stand-up paddleboard, and a hang glider on this episode of The Daytripper at 8 pm on Thursday.

Chet heads to Lubbock where he explores the Texas High Plains and Texas Tech University on The Daytripper at 8:30 pm on Thursday.

Join us on our discovery of Europe’s Christmas Markets, where the town center, market square or just the narrow, cobblestone streets of the cities and towns of Europe come alive in winter with festively decorated wooden stalls offering all sorts of treats and delights. Visit Germany, France and Switzerland on European Christmas MarketsThursday at 10:30 pm and Saturday at 11:30 pm.

Witness award-winning, world-famous violinist Joshua Bell lead a Live from Lincoln Center event with musicians from America and Cuba, building a bridge between cultures and artistry on Joshua Bell’s Seasons Of Cuba airing Friday at 8 pm.

Grab a front row seat for one of the most thrilling Broadway concerts in memory. An all-star cast performs “New York New York,” “Cabaret” and other classic songs by the Tony, Oscar, Grammy and Emmy-winning Broadway songwriting team of Kander & Ebb on First You Dream: The Music Of Kander & Ebbthis Friday at 9 pm.

Relish the best in smart indie rock with Sleater-Kinney and Heartless Bastards. Seattle veterans Sleater-Kinney rock tracks from their acclaimed LP No Cities to Love on Austin City Limits airing Saturday at 7 pm.

Father Brown follows the kindly cleric as he solves crimes in his community. In each episode, the enigmatic priest investigate a crime in his own particular way, using intuition and psychology. Watch Father Brown at 8 pm on Sunday.

Many years have passed since Dr Blake first returned home from war to run his father’s old practice. But Ballarat is no longer the sanctuary from the outside world it used to be. Watch the pathologist solve crimes on Doctor Blake Mysteriesat 8:55 pm on Sunday.

Revisit treasured moments from the unforgettable series, including new behind-the-scenes clips and interview footage on I Miss Downton Abbey!Sunday at 7 pm and 10 pm, and Thursday at 9:30 pm.

Relive the thrilling first season of the swashbuckling romantic series with hints of what’s to come for the dashing Captain Ross Poldark featuring cast and creator interviews and behind-the-scene interviews on Inside Poldark on Sunday at 8:30 pm.

While at his Nantucket home after his retirement from Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood, Fred Rogers had a chance meeting with Benjamin Wagner, his next-door neighbor and an up-and-coming producer for MTV. The charming and philosophical documentary MISTER ROGERS & ME chronicles the brothers’ inspiring journey Monday at 9 pm.

On the eve of the 75th anniversary, join the first expedition to explore inside the USS Arizona since the date that will live in infamy, as state-of-the-art imaging technology reveals the aftermath and incredible story of the Pearl Harbor attack on Pearl Harbor – Into The Arizona Tuesday at 8 pm.

Henry Louis Gates, Jr. explores America’s changing racial landscape-celebrating how far we have come toward equality and asking why we still have so far to go on Black America: And Still I Rise at 9 pm Tuesday.

In 1971, Penny Patterson began teaching sign language to a gorilla named Koko, unaware that this relationship would define both their lives. More than 40 years later, the now-famous Koko continues to redraw the line between people and animals. Watch the incredible journey on Koko – The Gorilla Who Talks this Wednesday at 7 pm.

From snowy Siberia to remote Pacific islands, discover how humans survived and thrived in every corner of the planet on NOVA: Great Human Odyssey Wednesday at 8:30 pm.

Watch this weeks episode of Overheard With Evan Smith as guest star Diane Guerrero discusses her roles on Orange Is The New Black and Jane The Virgin, as well as her work with nonprofits for immigration, naturalization and citizenship on Thursday at 7 pm.

This episode of Arts In Context, “Passing It Forward”, features Tapestry Dance Company laying the foundation for the future of tap dance in America at 7:30 on Thursday.

Join the international superstar trio and special guest Placido Domingo for a magical night of music beneath the stars in Florence, Italy’s beautiful Santa Croce Square onIl Volo Notte Magica Thursday at 8 pm and Friday at 10 pm.

Rick Steves’ Guide To Cuba at 7 pm and 11 pm Sunday and 10 pm Thursday showcases the well-preserved colonial town of Trinidad and the verdant national park at Vinales, featuring scenic horse rides and rustic tobacco farms.

An enraged mob threatens George and Elizabeth, and Ross and Demelza confront their demons on the new episode of Poldark Season 2 On Masterpiece Sunday at 8 pm and Saturday at 7 pm.

Andrea Bocelli pays musical tribute to the silver screen in a lush concert of beloved songs from the movies on Great PerformancesSunday at 9 pm and Thursday at 8 pm.

The Last Waltz was a concert by the Canadian-American rock group The Band, held on Thanksgiving Day, November 25, 1976, at Winterland Ballroom in San Francisco and has been hailed by critics as one of the greatest concert films ever made. Experience the concert film on Last Waltz Monday at 8 pm.

Henry Louis Gates, Jr. takes a personal journey through the last 50 years of African American history, charting the incredible progress made – as well as the obstacles that remain, this week on Black America Since MLK: And Still I Rise at 7 pm on Tuesday.

Get an all-access pass to the seminal moments in recorded music with this compilation special with Paul McCartney, Roger Waters, Beck, Bonnie Raitt, Roger Daltrey, Quincy Jones, Ringo Starr, Niles Rogers and more on this weeks episode of Great Moments from SoundbreakingTuesday at 9:45 pm.

With high speed camerawork and breakthrough new science, we enter the fast-paced world of hummingbirds as never before and for the first time, we see them mate, lay eggs, fight, and raise families in intimate detail. Catch the Super Hummingbirds Wednesday on Nature at 7 pm.

Join renowned scientist Stephen Hawking as he challenges three ordinary people to think like a genius on Genius at 8:30 pm on Wednesday.

Chet explores the east side of Texas’s capital city exploring its food trucks, a modern butcher shop, and a house museum that “Keeps Austin Weird,” Thursday at 7 pm on The Daytripper.

Great Performances follows the creation of Lin-Manuel Miranda’s pop culture Broadway phenomenon, Hamilton, and the history behind it this Friday at 8 pm.

On Last Of The Breed, savor a once-in-a-lifetime concert event by the legendary Willie Nelson, Merle Haggard and Ray Price. The treasure trove of honky-tonk hits and Texas swing tunes turned the album Last of the Breed into a major-selling hit on Friday at 10 pm and Saturday at 7 pm.

Revisit treasured moments from the unforgettable series, including new behind-the-scenes clips and interview footage on I Miss Downton Abbey! Saturday at 9:30 pm.

MY MUSICPresents The Carpenters: Close to You, a music-filled documentary that traces the Carpenters’ career through the eyes of Richard Carpenter and the group’s friends in the music business airing Saturday at 11 pm.

Explore the role of the music producer tasked with turning an artist’s vision into a hit and view the contrasting styles of some of the most accomplished producers on the multi-part series Soundbreaking. Meet the pioneers of hip hop and explore how sampling created a new genre of music that took over the world; including Public Enemy, Run DMC, the Beastie Boys, Beck and more, Monday at 9 pm. Trace the rise of MTV and see how music videos transformed our experience of music on Tuesday at 9 pm. From LPs to cassette tapes, CDs and MP3s, discover how listening formats determine how and where we listen to the music we love on Wednesday at 9 pm.

In Considering Matthew Shepard, Grammy Award-winning choral group Conspirare bring depth and emotion to a harrowing story of loss on Arts In Context at 10 pm Monday.

Olivia and Isaí Chacón were trained by the masters of flamenco in Spain. With a deep knowledge and appreciation for the art form, they formed A’lante Flamenco back in America. Experience their story on Arts In Context at 10:30 pm Monday.

Explore what happened to the USS Oklahoma and hear stories from Oklahoma survivors and families of those lost on Pearl Harbor USS Oklahoma at 7 pm on Wednesday.

Join the first expedition to explore inside the USS Arizona as state-of-the-art imaging technology reveals the aftermath and incredible story of the Pearl Harbor attack on Pearl Harbor Into The Arizona Wednesday at 8 pm.

Enjoy the best performances from the 2016 Americana Music Association Honors & Awards ceremony including Bonnie Raitt, Dwight Yoakam, George Strait and Billy Bragg on ACL Presents Americana Music Festival Wednesday at 10 pm.

Savor a new adaptation of the classic novel about the orphaned Anne, placed in the care of uptight Marilla and her brother Matthew, played by Martin Sheen on Anne of Green Gables Thursday at 7 pm.

Enjoy an adaptation of the children’s classic novel Pollyanna, about the young orphan whose effortless charm captures the hearts of family, friends and strangers alike on Pollyanna at 8:30 on Thursday.

Chet visits Conroe, TX, a town in the piney woods known for designing the famous “Lone Star” flag on this episode ofThe Daytripper Thursday at 10:30 pm.

Watch as internationally acclaimed pianist Lang Lang performs a love letter to New York in this Live From Lincoln Center special on Lang Lang’s New York Rhapsody Friday at 8 pm.

The Last Waltz was a concert by the Canadian-American rock group The Band, held on Thanksgiving Day, November 25, 1976, at Winterland Ballroom in San Francisco and has been hailed by critics as one of the greatest concert films ever made. Experience the concert film on Last Waltz Friday at 9:30 pm.

At the Arnosky Family Farms near Blanco, meet Pamela and Frank Arnosky who restored the Texas cut flower industry on Central Texas Gardener Saturday at noon.

From the late 1940s ’til the early 1970s, millions of viewers of all ages saw great musical acts each Sunday night on “The Ed Sullivan Show.” This installment in the MY MUSIC series presents classic song performances from 1963-1968. Watch The Beatles, The Doors, and more on Ed Sullivan’s Rock and Roll Classics Saturday at 10 pm.

Explore the role of the music producer tasked with turning an artist’s vision into a hit and view the contrasting styles of some of the most accomplished producers on the multi-part series Soundbreaking. Monday at 9 pm showcases The Recording Artists with George Martin, Sam Phillips, Tom Petty, Dr. Dre and more. Tuesday at 9 pm learn how the recording studio itself became an instrument on Painting With Sound. Wednesday at 9 pm celebrate the most essential part of a song and the most challenging to capture–the vocal track on The Human Instrument. Thursday at 9 pm, from the electric guitar to synthesized music, learn how innovators used electricity to unleash new sounds Going Electric. Friday at 9 pm, chart the progression of the beat from drum and bass to beat box and beyond on Four On The Floor.

Olivia and Isaí Chacón were trained by the masters of flamenco in Spain. With a deep knowledge and appreciation for the art form, they formed A’lante Flamenco back in America. Learn about them on Arts In Context at 7:30 pm Thursday.

Chet goes to Taylor and Boerne on back-to-back episodes of The Daytripper at 8 pm Thursday.

Experience what The New York Times called “an emotional firestorm” as the award-winning television and Broadway star brings down the house with his acclaimed cabaret show on Alan Cumming Sings Sappy Songs at 8 pm Friday.

xamine the ways the USO has lifted the spirits of American service personnel for more than 75 years on USO – For The Troops at 7 pm Monday.

Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump are two of the most polarizing presidential candidates in modern history. Frontline The Choice at 8 pm Monday goes beyond the headlines to investigate what has shaped these two candidates, where they came from, how they lead and why they want one of the most difficult jobs imaginable.

Under the starlit, intimate setting of Rain Lily Farm, En Route Productions presents Shakespeare on the Farm. By bringing theatre off of the stage and farming into the city, the two groups take their respective passions to the masses on Arts In Context Shakespeare On The Farm at 10:30 pm Monday and 7:30 pm Thursday.

Watch live coverage of election results with co-anchors Gwen Ifill and Judy Woodruff and Mark Shields, David Brooks, Amy Walter and Andra Gillespie on PBS Newshour starting at 7 pm.

Overheard with Evan Smith at 7 pm Thursday features Kelly McEvers, host of NPR’s Embedded and co-host of All Things Considered.

Chet visits Conroe and Boerne on back-to-back episodes of The Daytripper at 8 pm Thursday.

Join Lincoln Center at the Movies at 8 pm Friday as Alvin Ailey American Dance Theatre showcases its spectacular range, diversity and artistry in this special presentation, which includes the company’s signature work, Revelations, along with three other pieces.

See how to pick, plant, and care for your trees and visit an easy-care outdoor living room on Central Texas Gardenerat noon Saturday.

A thrilling hour with rock & roll legend Iggy Pop on Austin City Limits at 7 pm Saturday.The Detroit native blasts through classics and cuts from his latest album, Post Pop Depression, accompanied by members of Queens of the Stone Age and Arctic Monkeys.

On Durrells On Masterpiece at 7pm Sunday, Keeley Hawes (Upstairs Downstairs) stars as an intrepid widow who decamps from dreary England to a sun-dappled Greek island with her four recalcitrant children on this six-part adaptation of Gerald Durrell’s My Family and Other Animals and its two sequels.

Follow Hooligan Sparrow and other activists across southern China seeking justice for schoolgirls allegedly sexually abused by their principal on POV at 9 pm Monday.

In Considering Matthew Shepard, Grammy Award-winning choral group Conspirare bring depth and emotion to a harrowing story of loss on Arts In Contextat 10:30 pm Monday and 7:30 pm Thursday.

Meet Nikola Tesla, the genius engineer and tireless inventor whose technology revolutionized the electrical age of the 20th century on American Experience at 8 pm Tuesday.

As Europe reels from a terror onslaught, top counter-terror officials describe their struggle to contain the unprecedented threat revealed by attacks in France and Belgium on Frontline at 9 pm Tuesday.

Watch live coverage followed by analysis of the Presidential Debate at 8 pm Tuesday co-anchored by Gwen Ifill and Judy Woodruff, with David Brooks, Mark Shields, and Amy Walter in studio and Newshourcorrespondent John Yang on location.

Overheard with Evan Smith at 7 pm Thursday featuresEvan McMullin, a former CIA operative who is currently running as the Independent candidate for President of the United States.

Chet heads to Big Bend and Tyler on back-to-back episodes of The Daytripper starting at 8 pm Thursday.

The PBS Newshour presents live coverage of the presidential candidates debates followed by analysis co-anchored by Gwen Ifill and Judy Woodruff on Sunday at 8 pm.

Meet an American family coping with one of life’s most intimate transformations on POV From This Day Forward at 9 pm Monday. Sharon Shattuck’s father came out as transgender, living as Trisha. Her mother stayed with him. Now Sharon wants to understand how the family survived intact.

Photographers Hakeem Adewumi and Moyo Oyelola take a global tale and make it feel like home on Arts In Context at 10:30 pm Monday and 7:30 pm Thursday.

Frontline at 8 pm Tuesday investigates the U.S.-led efforts to degrade and destroy ISIS. Reporting from Saudi Arabia, Iraq, Jordan, and Turkey, the film examines the successes, failures, and challenges of the fight, as ISIS loses ground in the region but strikes out abroad.

With high speed camerawork and breakthrough new science, we enter the fast-paced world of hummingbirds as never before on Nature at 7 pm Wednesday.

Overheard with Evan Smith at 7 pm Thursday features Maureen Dowd, best-selling author and a columnist for The New York Times.

Chet heads to Big Bend in two back-to-back episodes of The Daytripper starting at 8 pm Thursday.

Grow gorgeous with outdoor living and water thrifty plant designs that spark attention on Central Texas Gardener at noon Saturday.

Enjoy new classics and fan favorites from music icon Robert Plant on Austin City Limits at 7 pm Saturday. The British superstar sings classics from the catalogs of Led Zeppelin, the blues canon and his solo Americana albums.